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Chapter Text

“Lan Zhan, there you are! I’ve been looking for you everywhere!”

Another peaceful afternoon ruined. Jin Zixuan puts his cup down louder than he intended to. Lan Wangji straightens in his own seat, attention already drawn to the person sauntering up to them.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji greets, courteous as ever. The second Jade of Lan shoots Jin Zixuan a look, one he interprets to mean: be polite. He has been on the receiving end of that look a lot lately, ever since that lunch a few weeks ago when Wei Wuxian first declared himself to be Lan Wangji’s best friend.

Jin Zixuan bites back the scathing words he wants to say about Wei Wuxian’s everything. He pulls it all inside and lets it out with a heavy sigh. He inhales deeply again and greets, through gritted teeth, “young master Wei.”

Wei Wuxian, as always, ignores him and gives his full attention to the Second Jade of Lan. Honestly, Jin Zixuan should be used to such treatment from him but it still rankles him to be dismissed so easily. He is the heir to the Jin clan and Wei Wuxian is nothing more than a servant’s son.

Such thoughts give Jin Zixuan a pause. He feels guilt eat up his insides when he acknowledges his rude thinking. If Lan Wangji could hear his inner thoughts, he’d be subjected to the iciest glare known to man. He could even imagine what Lan Wangji would say if he ever voices those words out loud:

Do not be miserly.

Do not be haughty and complacent.

Do not praise yourself and slander others.

It would be an endless lecture of the three thousand GusuLan rules. Lan Wangji would not offer him up to the discipline whip but he would be forced to write all three thousand Lan sect rules as a consequence.

Jin Zixuan purses his lips and lets out another harsh breath through his nose. In situations like these, where Wei Wuxian aims to rile him up, it’s better to keep quiet after all. He wonders if that is in the Lan sect’s three thousand rules too. Is that why Lan Wangji is so quiet? Because there are a lot of things he wants to say but most of them are not good or are critical of somebody, so he just chooses to not say anything at all?

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji interrupts the Jiang disciple in the middle of his long, unnecessary rant about the GusuLan meals. Jin Zixuan doesn’t know if it is courage or stupidity that makes Wei Wuxian think it is all right to complain about everything GusuLan-related to one of its heirs. “It is impolite not to greet back.”

“What?” Wei Wuxian asks in confusion. Jin Zixuan picks up and eats another biscuit. He watches with slight interest. It seems like a start of a scolding. When it involves Wei Wuxian being taken down a peg, Jin Zixuan will definitely be there to watch (and internally gloat about it).

“Young master Jin greeted you,” Lan Wangji tells him in a quiet tone. “It is impolite not to greet him back.”

Jin Zixuan blinks in surprise.

He had not been expecting Lan Wangji to be on his side today.

Ever since the tea party where Wei Wuxian declared himself to be Lan Wangji’s number one friend (as if it was a competition, Jin Zixuan inwardly scoffs. Jin Zixuan is Lan Wangji’s friend. Wei Wuxian is definitely not just a friend in Lan Wangji’s eyes) Lan Wangji has been pulled left and right by the other. The Lan heir barely got a say in before he is being dragged off to who knows where. And every time, Wei Wuxian makes sure to do it right in front of Jin Zixuan. It is like he is trying to show him that Lan Wangji would rather spend time with him than some peacock heir of the excessive Jin clan.

Lan Wangji never says anything when he is dragged off, even if it’s in the middle of a conversation or while they’re eating. As always, the impassive teen’s eyes are on Wei Wuxian. As always, his ears are tinted by a light blush because he has the other’s sole attention. His adoration is plain to see if you just looked a little closer.

Jin Zixuan finds Lan Wangji’s feelings for Wei Wuxian a little bit funny, (a hysterical type of funny because what does Lan Wangji even see in that imp?) but then he hears Wei Wuxian emphasizing the term best friends and then he sees the frown Lan Wangji gives the other when he flirts with someone else and the entire thing starts feeling less like a joke and more like the start of a tragic love story.

So, Jin Zixuan understands why Lan Wangji keeps blowing him off for Wei Wuxian. He understands this is just one of the limited ways Lan Wangji shows his affection for the thick-headed disciple. He also doesn’t mind it too much if Lan Wangji scolds him because, honestly, the second Jade of Lan is actually making him a better person. He understands this and since he is a good friend, he does his best not to complain about Wei Wuxian too much.

Still, he does get annoyed when Lan Wangji scolds him but holds his tongue when it’s Wei Wuxian who needs the lecture (or eye glaring) more. But then again, maybe Lan Wangji has long since realized that whatever Lan rules he dictates to Wei Wuxian will probably just enter one ear and go out the other. Thankfully, Jin Zixuan isn’t a lost cause, unlike the Jiang head disciple, which is probably why Lan Wangji is so determined to scold him with the rules instead.

So yes, Jin Zixuan didn’t expect to get any respect from Wei Wuxian today (even though Jin Zixuan himself is trying). He expects the usual scenario: Wei Wuxian talks Lan Wangji’s ear off. He drags Lan Wangji away and Lan Wangji shoots him an apologetic look but follows. (Though Lan Wangji does try to make it up to him, in his own stilted way. He comes back when Wei Wuxian is busy and offers an apology and a rabbit to cuddle with. Though, for some reason, Lan Wangji always bring the rabbits that seem to hate him.)

Jin Zixuan discreetly pinches his arm. It’s not a dream, going by Wei Wuxian’s face. Lan Wangji scolded his crush for being impolite to his friend. Jin Zixuan is so happy he almost smirks and gloats in Wei Wuxian’s face.

This is so unexpected and immediately the day seems brighter. He is moved by Lan Wangji’s gesture of friendship.

Wei Wuxian shuts his mouth. His eyes are wide and his expression is incredulous. “What?”

Lan Wangji hesitates and he glances at Jin Zixuan who has a smug look on his face. The Jin heir smirks and does a ‘go on’ gesture and the second brother Lan sighs.

“Wei Ying, young master Jin has greeted you consistently every time you came by,” Lan Wangji says in a careful tone. “It is rude not to extend the same courtesy.”

Jin Zixuan watches Wei Wuxian’s expressions with interest. The other’s expression fades from shock and turns into a carefully neutral mask. His eyes narrow as he looks at Jin Zixuan who gestures again, as though to say, ‘well? You heard him, you’re being rude.’

Wei Wuxian straightens and puts his hands together in a salute. He inclines his head very, very slightly and says in a passable tone, “young master pea- I mean, Jin. Young master Jin.” He acknowledges the Jin heir with a challenging look to which Jin Zixuan returns with a disgruntled expression.

“Thank you, Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan says in a soft tone when the other straightens.

Wei Wuxian shrugs his shoulders, his gaze carefully averted. “I guess I was so excited to see the second young master Lan these days, that I seem to have forgotten my place.”

“Wei Yi-”

“Oh, I forgot I had somewhere to be!” Wei Wuxian says in mock surprise. “I’ll be going then, young master Lan, young master peacock.” He finishes it with a showy bow before being on his way.

Jin Zixuan would have snapped at him for his rudeness but the expression on Lan Wangji’s face makes him hold back his words.

After a minute of silence he says hesitantly, “you were not wrong in scolding him.”

Lan Wangji looks down, seeming unsure, “mn.”

“Maybe he just needs to calm down. He’ll be back to bother you again soon, don’t worry.”

“Mn.”

Wei Wuxian doesn’t come back to bother Lan Wangji for the next week. Jin Zixuan is torn between elation and irritation.

The less he sees of Wei Wuxian the happier he is but-

Lan Wangji pats the rabbit on his lap carefully. This was the sixth time in a week that they’ve been to the rabbit fields. Lan Wangji has become even quieter since Wei Wuxian started avoiding him after the mild scolding.

That idiot, Jin Zixuan thinks in exasperation as he plays tug-of-war with one of the darker bunnies. If he isn’t careful, he’ll get bitten again. “Lan Wangji, just say the word and we can go tell maiden Jiang to talk some sense into Wei Wuxian.”

Lan Wangji gives the other a careful sort of stare. “Things seem be going well with you and maiden Jiang.”

Jin Zixuan feels heat crawl up his face and he clears his throat before he says, “she has been very kind and very understanding.” He immediately goes back to the topic at hand, “I’m sure if we tell her that Wei Wuxian has been avoiding you for no good reason, she would talk to him.”

Lan Wangji’s lips turn down slightly, “Wei Ying wouldn’t like that.”

Jin Zixuan knows no one likes being tattled on. Still, “well, he would deserve it.”

Lan Wangji shoots him a look and Jin Zixuan frowns back at him, unimpressed.

“I’m just trying to help.” The Jin heir defends himself with a huff. “What do you suggest then?”

Lan Wangji is quiet for some time. Jin Zixuan, already used to this, goes back to playing (fighting) with the bunnies but keeps an ear open for his response.

“Buy him a gift.” Lan Wangji finally says. “An apology gift.”

“Lan Wangji no.” Jin Zixuan turns to him with a firm tone. “Apologizing to him is admitting you were wrong… but you weren’t.”

Lan Wangji’s frown deepens.

“Look, let’s be honest,”Jin Zixuan turns himself to face the other. “I don’t like Wei Wuxian.”

Lan Wangji does not seem surprised to hear this. He just levels the other with a cool stare.

“I don’t like him but for your sake I try my best to be civil with him. I acknowledge him if he’s there and I keep my mouth shut to avoid arguments.” Jin Zixuan explains. “The least he could do is do the same for me.”

Silence.

“You agree and that’s why you scolded him in my behalf, right?”

Silence.

“Lan Wangji, I know you-” He hesitates, Lan Wangji has not admitted to liking Wei Wuxian as more than a friend yet. “I know you and Wei Wuxian are friends, maybe even best friends…”

Lan Wangji seems pained by the words ‘best friends’. “We are not.”

“Fine, you guys are…whatever. That’s not the point.” Jin Zixuan says firmly, “What I’m trying to say is that just because you and Wei Wuxian are close, does not mean you can just let him do whatever he wants! You called him out of his behavior for his sake too! If that idiot doesn’t get his act together and learn some etiquette, he might cause a sect war someday!”

Lan Wangji is silent for a while before he finally says, “Wei Ying is not an idiot.”

Jin Zixuan lets out a loud sigh, “that’s what you got from that?”

Lan Wangji gives him an unimpressed stare, “Wei Ying is smart.”

“I feel like I’m talking to a wall.”Jin Zixuan mutters to himself.

“He is smart however…” Jin Zixuan perks up at the last word. Lan Wangji lets out a small breath, “Wei Ying is very outspoken and sometimes this is taken wrongly by people.”

Jin Zixuan snorts. ‘Outspoken’ is a kind word to describe Wei Wuxian’s relentless and reckless ability to insult anyone he doesn’t like, be it an influential person or someone below his station. To Wei Wuxian, everyone is equal in his eyes and although this trait is normally to be admired, as a servant’s son and the head disciple of Yunmeng Jiang this personality trait is seen instead as highly inconvenient and maybe even dangerous. After all, Wei Wuxian represented the YungmengJianng Sect. Any insult coming from him could easily be seen as a direct insult from his sect. If he isn’t more careful with his words and behavior, he could start a war.

“You did right in scolding him about his manners.” Jin Zixuan tells Lan Wangji again. “If anyone should be apologizing in this scenario, it’s definitely not you.”

Lan Wangji turns to give him an unimpressed look and Jin Zixuan sighs again.

“We’ll agree to disagree then.”

Lan Wangji says nothing and focuses instead on petting as many rabbits as he could. Jin Zixuan lets him be, knowing he has probably reach his limit of conversations for the day. Instead, he focuses on trying not to be caught off guard by any of the fluffy monsters.

They left their conversation at that.

Jin Zixuan pens a letter that night to maiden Jiang. He asks her for advice regarding a certain friend of his who is being avoided by someone he really liked.

The next day he gets a swift reply, a Jiang disciple hands him maiden Jiang’s letter with suspicious eyes, which he ignores. He opens the letter quickly, hoping for a solution to this little trouble between Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian. A trouble he is indirectly at fault for, he is aware.

Maiden Jiang starts the letter with the usual formalities and asks after his well-being. Her letter is polite and interesting and near the end, she graciously answers his pressing question from last night.

If neither of the two people come forward to speak then they will remain at standstill. I’m sure your friend is aware of this which is why he wants to apologize even though you emphasized he was not clearly at fault. Though if these two were really good friends like you claim, I doubt that the other party would remain quiet if they see your friend so upset by their distance.

Jin Zixuan reads the paragraph a few more times before he gets an idea.

This idea may involve breaking a few minor Lan rules but if it works, Lan Wangji would stop dragging him to the rabbit field to get bitten and kicked by angry fluffy rabbits.

He carefully folds the letter and stores it in one of the boxes he keeps on his table.

Time to go spread a few rumors.

“Don’t you think the second young master Lan is sadder than usual?”

A few whispers caught Lan Xichen’s attention as he makes his way to the dining pavilion for lunch with his brother. He turns his head curiously at the whispering disciples, noting that the initial speaker is from the Jin clan.

The other disciple from the Nie clan gives the Jin disicple a disbelieving look. “The second young master Lan looks the same as always.”

“No, see, remember last week when he was getting dragged by that Jiang disciple everywhere, didn’t he seem more approachable?” The Jin disciple insists. “Now, he is just by himself lately and I heard our young master Jin trying to cheer him up yesterday! He is definitely upset!”

The Nie disciple’s expression turns into a thoughtful look, “he does have that melancholic air about him…”

Lan XIchen clears his throat gently and the two jump in surprise. They turn to him with guilty expressions and immediately bow in apology.

“There is no need,” Lan Xichen smiles at the gently. “I am grateful for the concern you’ve shown towards my brother. However, I think you should hurry to the dining pavilion before the lunch period ends.”

The two immediately took their leave, bowing once more before scurrying off. Lan Xichen watches their retreat with a thoughtful look.

Wangji has been quieter lately and wistful. Being his brother, Lan Xichen knows he is upset about something and it’s a surprise that for once, he isn’t the only one who notices. His little brother, unfortunately, remains stubbornly silent about the reason for his sad mood. Still, he thinks he has an idea of what happened.

The first Jade has noticed that just a week ago, Wei Wuxian has been sticking to his brother like glue. They were inseparable. It amused him to see Wangji’s ears constantly red. However, one day, Wei Wuxian suddenly just stops and Lan Wangji seems forlorn.

Lan Xichen wants to go and ask young master Wei what has happened, since his own brother is holding back the details from him, but Lan Wangji would be mortified by his nosiness. So, as a good older brother, he’d settled instead with cheering up Wangji by buying him things he likes from Caiyi town, like a basket of loquats or some sandalwood incense.

He arrives at the dining pavilion and looks around. Lan Wangji is seated at his usual seat, alone, and several tables over is a certain young master Wei, pointedly not looking in his direction. If one knew Wangji as well as Xichen, they would see that his shoulders are very slightly slumped in defeat. Though some people do notice that Lan Wangji is too focused on staring at his lunch today, his mouth pursed tightly.

The small amount of food in Lan Wangji’s bowl has Lan Xichen frowning and he makes his way towards his brother’s table.

“Wangji, is that all you’re eating?” Lan Xichen asks as he looks down at his younger brother. His tone may have been louder than he initially thought because the moment he finishes speaking, the disciples nearest to them began furiously whispering to each other.

“Brother,” Wangji acknowledges him with a polite inclination of his head. “I had some snacks with young master Jin earlier, so I am still a bit full.”

Lan Xichen sighs, “you shouldn’t eat snacks before lunch, Wangji. I’ll be sure to speak with young master Jin as well.”

“No need.” Lan Wangji tells him, “I am the one at fault."

Lan Xichen sighs and sits next to him and pulls out a qiuankun pouch he’d filled with fresh peaches from Caiyi town. He takes one out and placed one next to his brother’s plate. “Wangji, here, eat this with your meal too.”

Peaches were their mother’s favorite fruits. Uncle usually dissuaded them from buying food in Caiyi town when they can get the food they need from the kitchen but Lan Xichen makes exceptions for times when his brother is upset. Indulgence and excessive spending is forbidden, but if it would put a smile on his brother’s face then Lan Xichen is willing to bend a few rules.

As expected, Lan Wangji’s eyes widen when he sees the fruit. It is a bit late in the season for peaches, so his surprise is understandable. Wangji’s expression softens noticeably and Lan Xichen smiles.

“Thank you brother,” Wangji says in a quiet tone and he gives him a quick, small smile. He turns to his food and finally begins to eat. Lan Xichen watches him for a while before he looks around. He catches a few people staring at their table with wide eyes. They immediately turn away when they catch the first Jade of Lan’s attention. A few were even blushing and whispering while they keep stealing looks.

Lan Xichen turns to the Jiang table just in time to see Jiang Cheng elbow Wei Wuxian’s side quite harshly. The head disciple of the Jiang sect chokes and starts coughing loudly, his face was as red as a tomato.

At the corner of his eyes, Lan Xichen sees Wangji stiffen at the sound. He doesn’t look up to check if Wei Wuxian is all right. The first Jade gives his younger brother a questioning look. Lan Wangji meets his eyes and quietly shakes his head.

Lan Xichen sighs again and says nothing.

“Young master Jin.”

Jin Zixuan stops in the middle of his sentence and looks up to see the smiling face of Lan Xichen. He straightens and so do the other Jin disciples around him. He puts his hands together, “young master Lan.” The rest of disciples follow him and give a deep bow.

Lan Xichen salutes in acknowledgment. “Young master Jin, if you are not too busy, may I speak with you?”

“Of course!”Jin Zixuan gestures for the other disciples to disperse. They do so with a farewell salute. “Please, come sit with me young master Lan.”

“Thank you,” Lan Xichen sits first and Jin Zixuan follows suit. “I’m sorry for interrupting your meeting with the Jin disciples but I have questions regarding Wangji’s behavior.”

Jin Zixuan taps the table with his fingers. “Ah, I’m guessing this is about the Wei Wuxian situation?”

Lan Xichen hums, “Wangji has been upset and I know it has something to do with the young master Wei. I would like to ask for the details, please. My younger brother refuses to tell me anything and I’m quite worried.”

Jin Zixuan takes in a deep breath and says, “it’s like this…” He goes ahead and tells him what has been happening ever since the tea party a few weeks ago.

“Hm,” Lan Xichen hums after the brief explanation. “It’s unusual for young master Wei to be so offended by a minor scolding that he would go so far as to ignore Wangji.”

Jin Zixuan winces. “That’s probably my fault. I have treated maiden Jiang cruelly throughout our betrothal and Wei Wuxian hates me for that. I think that when Lan Wangji scolded him in my behalf, he saw it as Lan Wangji siding with me and he feels betrayed by that.”

“You thought this through.” Lan Xichen says with a gentle smile.

Jin Zixuan grumbles, “it’s not hard to guess what that idiot- I mean, what Wei Wuxian is thinking.” He clears his throat. “Your brother wanted to apologize but I told him not to.”

“Wangji was not in the wrong.” Lan Xichen agrees, “and even if Wangji apologizes, we’re not sure how Wei Wuxian would react to it.”

“Right? So wouldn’t it be better if Wei Wuxian was the one who apologized?” Jin Zixuan says casually.

Lan Xichen gives him a contemplative look, “what do you mean?”

“Young master Lan, if you fought with someone you cared about and you see them so upset about it, what would you feel?” Jin Zixuan asks.

“Guilt.” Lan Xichen says easily and he gets a knowing glint in his eyes. “You plan to guilt young master Wei into apologizing to my brother?”

Jin Zixuan shrugs, “or at least guilt him into talking to him again. He doesn’t have to apologize if he doesn’t want to, but it would be good if things could work out between him and Lan Wangji.”

Lan Xichen is silent as he looks at the Jin heir with appraising eyes. Finally he smiles, “you are a good friend to my brother, young master Jin.”

Jin Zixuan huffs and crosses his arms, “I just want him to stop moping around and dragging me to the rabbit fields to sulk.”

Lan Xichen continues to smile at him indulgently. “Of course.”

“Hey, did you see? Second master Lan barely ate anything again today.”

“I saw second master Lan yesterday after the lesson, he seemed really tired.”

“I asked young master Lan if he was okay and he just thanked me!”

“I think I saw him asleep under the red pine tree yesterday, during break.”

"Is second young master Lan all right?" 

To be continued…

Chapter Text

All right, Wei Wuxian has to admit, he may have overreacted a teeny, tiny bit when he got scolded by Lan Zhan to greet the peacock properly. Still, he feels like his hatred for the peacock is well-deserved though! Jiang Cheng would definitely agree with him, having borne witness to the humiliation the prideful Jin heir put their sister through. Publicly snubbing her, making her cry, talking bad about her- Jin Zixuan deserves to be snubbed and disrespected for three lifetimes! Wei Wuxian does not regret treating him with contempt! If he could have gotten away with it, he would have shaved the peacock’s hair while he slept!

Nie Huaisang fans himself nervously as he listens to Wei Wuxian rant about the annoying bug that was Jin Zixuan. “Remind me not to get on your bad side, brother Wei.”

“And that’s not the only horrible thing he has done!” Wei Wuxian throws up his hands in frustration, deaf to everything not related to badmouthing the peacock.

Jiang Cheng stiffens from where he is perched, “what? Did he do something to a-jie again?”

Wei Wuxian snorts. He lowers his hands and reaches out to play with the rabbit figurine on his bedside. “I don’t know what that peacock’s up to, but he seems to be trying to get along with shijie. It’s weird! Don’t you think it’s weird?”

“Ah,” Nie Huaisang says delicately, “I heard he has been exchanging letters with the young maiden Jiang.”

Jiang Cheng huffs at that, “what she sees in that guy, I will never understand. There are much better people out there for her, I don’t know what mother was thinking!”

“Exactly! I bet that Jin Zixuan is just leading her on again!” Wei Wuxian agrees furiously, “and what’s even worse is that he even managed to fool Lan Zhan into becoming his friend!”

Silence. Wei Wuxian looks up in confusion at the sudden quiet.

“Ah,” Nie Huaisang says again, his tone knowing.

Jiang Cheng’s forehead is furrowed in confusion, “who cares if Jin Zixuan managed to befriend Lan Wangji?”

“I care!” Wei Wuxian says without thinking. His eyes widen and he backtracks, “I mean, I’m just concerned because as Lan Zhan’s number one friend-”

Nie Huaisang interrupts, “I don’t think the second master Lan sees you just as a friend but-”

“He didn’t deny it when I called myself his best friend in front of his brother!” Wei Wuxian insists.

Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes, “‘Lan Zhan’ again, aren’t you mad at him or something? Why do you keep bringing him up?”

“I… I’m not mad at him!” Wei Wuxian replies, indignant. “I just- I was just annoyed that he took that peacock’s side! It’s the peacock’s fault obviously. I’m mad at the peacock for fooling Lan Zhan into taking his side!”

“Right.” Jiang Cheng says, unimpressed.

“If you aren’t mad at second brother Lan, then why are you avoiding him?” Nie Huaisang asks innocently.

“I-” Wei Wuxian stutters, “he- he sided with the peacock! I’m trying to prove that I’m a way better friend than that stuck up Jin!”

Nie Huaisang gives him a skeptical look, “by avoiding him?”

“What?”

“You’re trying to prove to him you’re a better friend by avoiding him?”

“That’s-” Wei Wuxian couldn’t think of anything to say.

Nie Huaisang closes his fan with a flick of his wrist, “well, some people do say ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder.’”

Jiang Cheng snorts, “second master Lan must be so relieved that he doesn’t have to deal with your antics anymore. In this case, absence is probably preferable. I definitely would prefer that.”

Wei Wuxian takes this opportunity to sling an arm around Jiang Cheng’s shoulders. “Please! No need to pretend Chengcheng! We all know you’ll miss me if I’m not around to bother you!”

“Who’re you calling ‘Chengcheng’! Get off of me!”

Nie Huaisang hides the amused tilt of his lips behind his closed fan. He observes the brotherly ribbing for a few moments before he says something, “I’m sure second young master Lan would be thrilled to have your company again, brother Wei!”

Those words effectively stop the playful wrestling between the top two Jiang disciples. Wei Wuxian looks at him with wide eyes, “I-”

“I heard the young master Lan seems really tired lately, has no appetite for eating…” Nie Huaisang laments, “clearly, young master Jin is not doing a proper job of being his friend.”

Wei Wuxian perks up at those words. “Did you know he keeps inviting Lan Zhan out for snacks before meals? That would ruin anyone’s appetite! He is such a bad influence on the young master Lan!”

Jiang Cheng scoffs, “it’s not like you’re any better! You’ve broken more rules than anyone here and even got Lan Wangji punished once!”

Wei Wuxian frowns at the reminder but stubbornly argues, “that was an accident!”

“Now, now, it was all in the past!” Nie Huaisang raised his hands, trying to soothe the atmosphere before it becomes a shouting match and he gets pulled along into another punishment. “Anyway, brother Wei, if you’re looking for the elusive young master Lan, I think I saw him by the west pavilion, the one near the lily ponds.”

Wei Wuxian turns his attention away from the annoyed Jiang Cheng. He frowns in confusion, “it’s almost lunch and that’s too far from the Lunch hall. Aren’t Lans obsessed with arriving on time or something? Isn’t he planning to eat?” He stands up and heads for the door, “that stupid peacock probably invited him to have tea again and Lan Zhan was too polite to turn him down!”

Jiang Cheng dusts his robes and opens his mouth to say something but Nie Huaisang carelessly swings his hand and hits the Jiang heir’s shoulder, interrupting him.

“That’s right, brother Wei! You should go and check on second young master Lan. There must be something in the Lan’s rules about skipping meals!” Nie Huaisang insists.

Wei Wuxian nods, grabbing the rabbit figurine to hide in his sleeves. He hurriedly leaves with a distracted farewell. “I wonder how Lan Zhan would react if I started spouting rules at him! Ha! I’ll see you guys later!”

Nie Huaisang waves at the other before he turns to a disgruntled Jiang Cheng, “oh brother Jiang, I apologize! Did I accidentally hit you? I swear I didn’t know you were there!”

“You call that a hit? Nie Huaisang you need to train more,” Jiang Cheng scoffs at the other.

Nie Huaisang lets out a dramatic wail, “you’re starting to sound like my brother!”

The two remaining disciples continue on with their conversation as they headed to the Lunch hall, Wei Wuxian’s antics forgotten.

There he is! Wei Wuxian thinks when he sees the trail end of a ribbon fluttering in the air. He picks up his pace, clearing his throat, ready to get into a verbal match with the peacock for-

Huh?

The surroundings were quiet, the air cool with the scent of lilies. Lan Zhan is hidden by the pillar but it didn’t seem like anyone else is there with him.

He is alone. Wei Wuxian’s steps slow down significantly. He grows nervous when he realizes there is no confrontation with the peacock to distract him. Should I go back? I’m not sure what I’m going to say to Lan Zhan when I see him. As he is stepping away, Nie Huaisang’s words come to his mind.

“I heard the young master Lan seems really tired lately, has no appetite for eating…”

Wei Wuxian remembers the gossip he heard from before too.

“Hey, did you see? Second master Lan barely ate anything again today.”

I should at least tell him it’s lunch time, Wei Wuxian tells himself as he rethinks leaving. Maybe I’ll get to see him make a new expression if I quote the Lan sect’s rules at him! Squaring his shoulders, Wei Wuxian heads toward the pavilion. He peeks around the pillar Lan Wangji is leaning on and opens his mouth to speak, but-

“Oh,” Wei Wuxian deflates both in relief and disappointment. “He’s asleep.”

Lan Wangji is sitting down on one of the pavilion benches, leaning back, his breathing slow and even. His lashes cast light shadows on his pale cheeks and Wei Wuxian finds himself mesmerized by the soft expression on the other’s face.

Staring at Lan Wangji right now, under the soft light of the sun and under the shadows of the peach blossom tree, Wei Wuxian finds it hard to believe that there would be anyone lovelier than the Second Jade of Lan.

A peach blossom gently lands on Lan Wangji’s cheek. Wei Wuxian reaches out to gently remove it. He doesn’t want anything to disturb the second young master’s sleep.

Lan Wangji’s lips purse at the light contact and he turns his head to dislodge the tickly feeling. Wei Wuxian panics at the sudden movement and his fingers extend to accommodate the change. Eventually, he finds himself cupping Lan Wangji’s warm cheek.

Lan Wangji settles back down, he lets out a soft breath of contentment.

Wei Wuxian eyes are wide and he feels like his heart is about to give out. He can feel his face burning as he internally screams at himself to pull himself together and let go before Lan Wangji wakes up and misunderstands!

His thoughts are racing as he tries to think of the best way to let go without waking up the sleeping Second Jade. Should he lean the other’s head against the pillar? Should he lie him down? What if he jostles him? Knowing his luck he’d probably trip on his own legs and fall on top of the other!

Lan Wangji chooses that moment to nuzzle his hand slightly and let out another quiet sigh.

And Wei Wuxian just- he just-

His mind short circuits and he cups Lan Zhan’s lovely face with both hands and leans forward and-

Lan Zhan’s eyelashes flutter open and the two of them are just there, just looking into each other’s eyes. Lan Wangji is still half asleep, maybe confused and Wei Wuxian is frozen like a statue, eyes wide with surprise and mortification.

“Mn.” Lan Wangji mutters and he closes his eyes again and falls asleep just like that.

And although Wei Wuxian is internally screaming at himself to let go and run as fast and as faraway as he can- his body and mind protest against any rough treatment to the person he holds.

And so, with a wildly beating heart and a bright red face, Wei Wuxian gently adjusts Lan Wangji to be more comfortable as he slept. The he slowly, slowly retracts his hand, holding in his breath when Lan Wangji’s brows furrow in displeasure at the loss of contact.

Wei Wuxian lets out a tense breathe and he turns to leave but something falls out of his sleeves: the rabbit figurine he got for Lan Wangji during their trip to Caiyi town.

Wei Wuxian picks it up, embarrassment temporarily forgotten. He looks at Lan Wangji’s sleeping face and quietly approaches the other again. He places the rabbit beside the sleeping Lan disciple, in plain view, so Lan Wangji doesn’t miss it.

He thinks for a moment and, with his heart in his throat, he leaves something else so that Lan Wangji knows it was him who left the small gift.

They haven’t talked, not at all. He hasn’t apologized yet, hasn’t given his side of the story, but he hopes that maybe with this olive branch, he can be less awkward in approaching Lan Wangji next time. Maybe if he sees Lan Wangji carrying around his gift, he can be braver and actually go and talk to him.

Wei Wuxian breathes in deeply and exhales any remaining tension. His heart rate slows to an acceptable degree but his chest still aches when he looks at Lan Wangji’s peaceful face. He lingers for a while longer and actually thinks about waking the other up but-

He shakes his head and turns to leave.

Not yet.

Jin Zixuan did not see Lan Wangji at the Lunch Hall but that isn’t a cause for worry since it just means that the second master Lan was too full to eat. Apparently, Lan Xichen bought too many peaches for his sad brother and since one of Cloud Recesses’ rule is ‘not to waste food’, Lan Wnagji is doing his best to finish all of the fruits before they go bad.

I should probably help him finish them, Jin Zixuan thinks as he looks for the elusive Jade. It’s not good to only have fruits for every meal.

Jin Zixuan turns a corner and almost collides with another disciple, “hey-!”

He immediately closes his mouth when he meets the eyes of Wei Wuxian.

“Peacock,” Wei Wuxian greets distractedly, face strangely red, or that could be just the lighting, who knows? “Lan Zhan is at the west pavilion, if you’re looking for him. You should wake him up and tell him to eat or are you just a friend to him in name?”

Jin Zixuan blinks in confusion, “what?” There is something different about Wei Wuxian, he just can’t put his finger on it.

Wei Wuxian rolls his eyes at him. “Decent people care about their friends’ well-being. I’m sure even you know that.” He passes by him, heading to the Lunch Hall. “Be sure to wake Lan Zhan! He needs to eat!”

“What- Why-” Jin Zixuan shakes his head, “why didn’t you wake him?” He calls out.

Wei Wuxian doesn’t reply but then again, he may be too far to hear what Jin Zixuan just said.

Staring at the back of the Jiang disciple’s head, Jin Zixuan realizes what was different about the other. His hair was a mess.

“Didn’t he have the eyesore of a red ribbon to keep his hair up?” Jin Zixuan asks himself before he shakes his head in exasperation. “What do I care anyway?” He turns his back on the other and heads to the west pavilion to wake Lan Wangji up.

Jiang Cheng exhales impatiently when he sees his adopted brother's arrival, “Lunch time is almost done you idi- wait…” His eyes narrow when Wei Wuxian gets closer, “why is your hair like that? What happened to your ribbon?”

Wei Wuxian scratches his cheek nervously, face still slightly red. “Ah, well, Jiang Cheng, I had some trouble with a lovely maiden. I had to leave her with a token of my affection to assure her I would ret- ow!”

Jian Cheng huffs in annoyance, “Stop lying! Girls and boys are separated in Cloud Recesses!” He shakes his head and slowly breathes out. Whatever, I don’t have time for your nonsense anyway.” He turns to leave first, having finished his lunch already.

Wei Wuxian calls out, laughing slightly, “Jiang Cheng! Wait! It’s not that farfetched you know! You should believe me once in a while!”

“Don’t worry, brother Wei, I believe you!”

Wei Wuxian turns and notices that Nie Huaisang had apparently been watching the drama unfold between the two of them. The head Jiang disciple smiles widely, “as expected of brother Nie, you are truly wise!”

“Of course!” Nie Huaisang fans himself with pride. Then he looks around and leans forward, eyes curious behind his fan, “but tell me this, brother Wei, was the maiden beautiful? She must be, since you left such a sweet token for her!”

Wei Wuxian is surprised by the question and becomes silent.

“Brother Wei?”

Wei Wuxian hums and says in an almost shy tone, “yes. They were the loveliest person I know.”

Nie Huaisang blinks in surprise at the easy admission. He hides his smile behind his fan and simply says, “I see.”